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Peng Q, Cao T, Yang X, Ye Z, Wang J, Chen S, Yu Y, Yu Y, Xue W, Chen Z, Fan J. RSPO2-associated mitochondrial metabolism defines molecular subtypes with distinct clinical and immune features in esophageal cancer. Environ Toxicol 2024. [PMID: 38491805 DOI: 10.1002/tox.24209] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2023] [Revised: 02/02/2024] [Accepted: 02/10/2024] [Indexed: 03/18/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Esophageal cancer is a highly aggressive malignancy with limited treatment options and poor prognosis. The identification of novel molecular subtypes and therapeutic targets is crucial for improving clinical outcomes. METHOD In this study, we investigated the role of R-spondin 2 (RSPO2) in esophageal cancer and its association with mitochondrial metabolism. Using bioinformatics analysis of publicly available datasets, we identified a panel of RSPO2-related mitochondrial metabolism genes and their expression patterns in esophageal cancer. Based on these genes, we stratified esophageal cancer patients into distinct molecular subtypes with different survival rates, immune cell infiltration profiles, and drug sensitivities. RESULTS Our findings suggest that RSPO2-related mitochondrial metabolism genes may serve as potential therapeutic targets and prognostic markers for esophageal cancer. These genes play an important role in the prognosis, immune cell infiltration and drug sensitivity of esophageal cancer. CONCLUSION The identified molecular subtypes provide valuable insights into the underlying molecular mechanisms of esophageal cancer and could guide personalized treatment strategies in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Quanzhou Peng
- Department of Pathology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
- Department of Pathology, Shenzhen People's Hospital (The Second Clinical Medical College, Jinan University, The First Affiliated Hospital, Southern University of Science and Technology), Shenzhen, China
| | - Tianfeng Cao
- Department of Pathology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
- Department of Pathology, Xi'an No. 1 Hospital, Xi'an, China
| | - Xue Yang
- Medical Insurance Office, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, China
| | - Zhujia Ye
- AnchorDx Medical Co., Ltd, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jun Wang
- AnchorDx Medical Co., Ltd, Guangzhou, China
| | - Shang Chen
- Department of Pathology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yanqi Yu
- Department of Pathology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yingdian Yu
- Department of Pathology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Wenyuan Xue
- Department of Pathology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | | | - Jianbing Fan
- Department of Pathology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
- AnchorDx Medical Co., Ltd, Guangzhou, China
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Yang L, Yue W, Zhang H, Gao Y, Yang L, Li L. The role of roof plate-specific spondins in liver homeostasis and disease. Liver Research 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.livres.2022.09.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/16/2023]
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Takahashi T, Li Y, Chen W, Nyasha MR, Ogawa K, Suzuki K, Koide M, Hagiwara Y, Itoi E, Aizawa T, Tsuchiya M, Suzuki N, Aoki M, Kanzaki M. RSPO3 is a novel contraction-inducible factor identified in an "in vitro exercise model" using primary human myotubes. Sci Rep 2022; 12:14291. [PMID: 35995979 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-18190-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2022] [Accepted: 08/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
The physiological significance of skeletal muscle as a secretory organ is now well known but we can only speculate as to the existence of as-yet-unidentified myokines, especially those upregulated in response to muscle contractile activity. We first attempted to establish an “insert-chamber based in vitro exercise model” allowing the miniature but high cell-density culture state enabling highly developed contractile human myotubes to be readily obtained by applying electric pulse stimulation (EPS). By employing this in vitro exercise model, we identified R-spondin 3 (RSPO3) as a novel contraction-inducible myokine produced by cultured human myotubes. Contraction-dependent muscular RSPO3 mRNA upregulation was confirmed in skeletal muscles of mice subjected to sciatic nerve mediated in situ contraction as well as those of mice after 2 h of running. Pharmacological in vitro experiments demonstrated a relatively high concentration of metformin (millimolar range) to suppress the contraction-inducible mRNA upregulation of human myokines including RSPO3, interleukin (IL)-6, IL-8 and CXCL1. Our data also suggest human RSPO3 to be a paracrine factor that may positively participate in the myogenesis processes of myoblasts and satellite cells. Thus, the “insert chamber-based in vitro exercise model” is a potentially valuable research tool for investigating contraction-inducible biological responses of human myotubes usually exhibiting poorer contractility development even in the setting of EPS treatment.
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Lebensohn AM, Bazan JF, Rohatgi R. Receptor control by membrane-tethered ubiquitin ligases in development and tissue homeostasis. Curr Top Dev Biol 2022; 150:25-89. [PMID: 35817504 DOI: 10.1016/bs.ctdb.2022.03.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Paracrine cell-cell communication is central to all developmental processes, ranging from cell diversification to patterning and morphogenesis. Precise calibration of signaling strength is essential for the fidelity of tissue formation during embryogenesis and tissue maintenance in adults. Membrane-tethered ubiquitin ligases can control the sensitivity of target cells to secreted ligands by regulating the abundance of signaling receptors at the cell surface. We discuss two examples of this emerging concept in signaling: (1) the transmembrane ubiquitin ligases ZNRF3 and RNF43 that regulate WNT and bone morphogenetic protein receptor abundance in response to R-spondin ligands and (2) the membrane-recruited ubiquitin ligase MGRN1 that controls Hedgehog and melanocortin receptor abundance. We focus on the mechanistic logic of these systems, illustrated by structural and protein interaction models enabled by AlphaFold. We suggest that membrane-tethered ubiquitin ligases play a widespread role in remodeling the cell surface proteome to control responses to extracellular ligands in diverse biological processes.
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Geng A, Wu T, Cai C, Song W, Wang J, Yu QC, Zeng YA. A novel function of R-spondin1 in regulating estrogen receptor expression independent of Wnt/β-catenin signaling. eLife 2020; 9:56434. [PMID: 32749219 PMCID: PMC7402675 DOI: 10.7554/elife.56434] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2020] [Accepted: 07/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
R-spondin1 (Rspo1) has been featured as a Wnt agonist, serving as a potent niche factor for stem cells in many tissues. Here we unveil a novel role of Rspo1 in promoting estrogen receptor alpha (Esr1) expression, hence regulating the output of steroid hormone signaling in the mouse mammary gland. This action of Rspo1 relies on the receptor Lgr4 and intracellular cAMP-PKA signaling, yet is independent of Wnt/β-catenin signaling. These mechanisms were reinforced by genetic evidence. Luminal cells-specific knockout of Rspo1 results in decreased Esr1 expression and reduced mammary side branches. In contrast, luminal cells-specific knockout of Wnt4, while attenuating basal cell Wnt/β-catenin signaling activities, enhances Esr1 expression. Our data reveal a novel Wnt-independent role of Rspo1, in which Rspo1 acts as a bona fide GPCR activator eliciting intracellular cAMP signaling. The identification of Rspo1-ERα signaling axis may have a broad implication in estrogen-associated diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ajun Geng
- State Key Laboratory of Cell Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Ting Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Cell Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Cheguo Cai
- Medical Research Institute, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Wenqian Song
- State Key Laboratory of Cell Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Jiqiu Wang
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine (SJTUSM), Shanghai, China
| | - Qing Cissy Yu
- State Key Laboratory of Cell Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Yi Arial Zeng
- State Key Laboratory of Cell Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China.,School of Life Science, Hangzhou Institute for Advanced Study, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, China
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Dubey R, van Kerkhof P, Jordens I, Malinauskas T, Pusapati GV, McKenna JK, Li D, Carette JE, Ho M, Siebold C, Maurice M, Lebensohn AM, Rohatgi R. R-spondins engage heparan sulfate proteoglycans to potentiate WNT signaling. eLife 2020; 9:e54469. [PMID: 32432544 PMCID: PMC7239654 DOI: 10.7554/elife.54469] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2019] [Accepted: 04/25/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
R-spondins (RSPOs) amplify WNT signaling during development and regenerative responses. We previously demonstrated that RSPOs 2 and 3 potentiate WNT/β-catenin signaling in cells lacking leucine-rich repeat-containing G-protein coupled receptors (LGRs) 4, 5 and 6 (Lebensohn and Rohatgi, 2018). We now show that heparan sulfate proteoglycans (HSPGs) act as alternative co-receptors for RSPO3 using a combination of ligand mutagenesis and ligand engineering. Mutations in RSPO3 residues predicted to contact HSPGs impair its signaling capacity. Conversely, the HSPG-binding domains of RSPO3 can be entirely replaced with an antibody that recognizes heparan sulfate (HS) chains attached to multiple HSPGs without diminishing WNT-potentiating activity in cultured cells and intestinal organoids. A genome-wide screen for mediators of RSPO3 signaling in cells lacking LGRs 4, 5 and 6 failed to reveal other receptors. We conclude that HSPGs are RSPO co-receptors that potentiate WNT signaling in the presence and absence of LGRs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ramin Dubey
- Departments of Biochemistry and Medicine, Stanford University School of MedicineStanfordUnited States
| | - Peter van Kerkhof
- Department of Cell Biology and Oncode Institute, Centre for Molecular Medicine, University Medical Centre UtrechtUtrechtNetherlands
| | - Ingrid Jordens
- Department of Cell Biology and Oncode Institute, Centre for Molecular Medicine, University Medical Centre UtrechtUtrechtNetherlands
| | - Tomas Malinauskas
- Division of Structural Biology, Wellcome Centre for Human Genetics, University of OxfordOxfordUnited Kingdom
| | - Ganesh V Pusapati
- Departments of Biochemistry and Medicine, Stanford University School of MedicineStanfordUnited States
| | - Joseph K McKenna
- Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Biology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of HealthBethesdaUnited States
| | - Dan Li
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of HealthBethesdaUnited States
| | - Jan E Carette
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Stanford University School of MedicineStanfordUnited States
| | - Mitchell Ho
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of HealthBethesdaUnited States
| | - Christian Siebold
- Division of Structural Biology, Wellcome Centre for Human Genetics, University of OxfordOxfordUnited Kingdom
| | - Madelon Maurice
- Department of Cell Biology and Oncode Institute, Centre for Molecular Medicine, University Medical Centre UtrechtUtrechtNetherlands
| | - Andres M Lebensohn
- Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Biology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of HealthBethesdaUnited States
| | - Rajat Rohatgi
- Departments of Biochemistry and Medicine, Stanford University School of MedicineStanfordUnited States
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Levin G, Koga BAA, Belchior GG, Carreira ACO, Sogayar MC. Production, purification and characterization of recombinant human R-spondin1 (RSPO1) protein stably expressed in human HEK293 cells. BMC Biotechnol 2020; 20:5. [PMID: 31959207 PMCID: PMC6971977 DOI: 10.1186/s12896-020-0600-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2019] [Accepted: 01/13/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Background The R-Spondin proteins comprise a family of secreted proteins, known for their important roles in cell proliferation, differentiation and death, by inducing the Wnt pathway. Several studies have demonstrated the importance of RSPOs in regulation of a number of tissue-specific processes, namely: bone formation, skeletal muscle tissue development, proliferation of pancreatic β-cells and intestinal stem cells and even cancer. RSPO1 stands out among RSPOs molecules with respect to its potential therapeutic use, especially in the Regenerative Medicine field, due to its mitogenic activity in stem cells. Here, we generated a recombinant human RSPO1 (rhRSPO1) using the HEK293 cell line, obtaining a purified, characterized and biologically active protein product to be used in Cell Therapy. The hRSPO1 coding sequence was synthesized and subcloned into a mammalian cell expression vector. HEK293 cells were stably co-transfected with the recombinant expression vector containing the hRSPO1 coding sequence and a hygromycin resistance plasmid, selected for hygror and subjected to cell clones isolation. Results rhRSPO1 was obtained, in the absence of serum, from culture supernatants of transfected HEK293 cells and purified using a novel purification strategy, involving two sequential chromatographic steps, namely: heparin affinity chromatography, followed by a molecular exclusion chromatography, designed to yield a high purity product. The purified protein was characterized by Western blotting, mass spectrometry and in vitro (C2C12 cells) and in vivo (BALB/c mice) biological activity assays, confirming the structural integrity and biological efficacy of this human cell expression system. Furthermore, rhRSPO1 glycosylation analysis allowed us to describe, for the first time, the glycan composition of this oligosaccharide chain, confirming the presence of an N-glycosylation in residue Asn137 of the polypeptide chain, as previously described. In addition, this analysis revealing the presence of glycan structures such as terminal sialic acid, N-acetylglucosamine and/or galactose. Conclusion Therefore, a stable platform for the production and purification of recombinant hRSPO1 from HEK293 cells was generated, leading to the production of a purified, fully characterized and biologically active protein product to be applied in Tissue Engineering.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriel Levin
- Cell and Molecular Therapy Center (NUCEL), Medical School, University of São Paulo, Edifício NUCEL, Rua Pangaré, 100 (Cidade Universitária), São Paulo, SP, 05360-130, Brazil
| | - Bruna Andrade Aguiar Koga
- Cell and Molecular Therapy Center (NUCEL), Medical School, University of São Paulo, Edifício NUCEL, Rua Pangaré, 100 (Cidade Universitária), São Paulo, SP, 05360-130, Brazil.,Department of Surgery, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, SP, 13635-900, Brazil
| | - Gustavo Gross Belchior
- Cell and Molecular Therapy Center (NUCEL), Medical School, University of São Paulo, Edifício NUCEL, Rua Pangaré, 100 (Cidade Universitária), São Paulo, SP, 05360-130, Brazil
| | - Ana Claudia Oliveira Carreira
- Cell and Molecular Therapy Center (NUCEL), Medical School, University of São Paulo, Edifício NUCEL, Rua Pangaré, 100 (Cidade Universitária), São Paulo, SP, 05360-130, Brazil. .,Department of Surgery, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, SP, 13635-900, Brazil.
| | - Mari Cleide Sogayar
- Cell and Molecular Therapy Center (NUCEL), Medical School, University of São Paulo, Edifício NUCEL, Rua Pangaré, 100 (Cidade Universitária), São Paulo, SP, 05360-130, Brazil. .,Biochemistry Department, Chemistry Institute, University of São Paulo, Sao Paulo, SP, 05508-000, Brazil.
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Ren Z, van Andel H, de Lau W, Hartholt RB, Maurice MM, Clevers H, Kersten MJ, Spaargaren M, Pals ST. Syndecan-1 promotes Wnt/β-catenin signaling in multiple myeloma by presenting Wnts and R-spondins. Blood 2018; 131:982-94. [DOI: 10.1182/blood-2017-07-797050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2017] [Accepted: 12/01/2017] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Key Points
HS chains decorating syndecan-1 promote autocrine and paracrine Wnt signaling in MM. Loss of HS inhibits MM cell growth by attenuating Wnt signaling.
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Alowolodu O, Johnson G, Alashwal L, Addou I, Zhdanova IV, Uversky VN. Intrinsic disorder in spondins and some of their interacting partners. Intrinsically Disord Proteins 2016; 4:e1255295. [PMID: 28232900 DOI: 10.1080/21690707.2016.1255295] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2016] [Revised: 10/22/2016] [Accepted: 10/27/2016] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Spondins, which are proteins that inhibit and promote adherence of embryonic cells so as to aid axonal growth are part of the thrombospondin-1 family. Spondins function in several important biological processes, such as apoptosis, angiogenesis, etc. Spondins constitute a thrombospondin subfamily that includes F-spondin, a protein that interacts with Aβ precursor protein and inhibits its proteolytic processing; R-spondin, a 4-membered group of proteins that regulates Wnt pathway and have other functions, such as regulation of kidney proliferation, induction of epithelial proliferation, the tumor suppressant action; M-spondin that mediates mechanical linkage between the muscles and apodemes; and the SCO-spondin, a protein important for neuronal development. In this study, we investigated intrinsic disorder status of human spondins and their interacting partners, such as members of the LRP family, LGR family, Frizzled family, and several other binding partners in order to establish the existence and importance of disordered regions in spondins and their interacting partners by conducting a detailed analysis of their sequences, finding disordered regions, and establishing a correlation between their structure and biological functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oluwole Alowolodu
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida , Tampa, FL, USA
| | - Gbemisola Johnson
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida , Tampa, FL, USA
| | - Lamis Alashwal
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida , Tampa, FL, USA
| | - Iqbal Addou
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida , Tampa, FL, USA
| | - Irina V Zhdanova
- Department of Anatomy & Neurobiology, Boston University School of Medicine , Boston, MA, USA
| | - Vladimir N Uversky
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, USA; USF Health Byrd Alzheimer Research Institute, Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, USA; Laboratory of Structural Dynamics, Stability and Folding of Proteins, Institute of Cytology, Russian Academy of Sciences, St. Petersburg, Russia
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